To think my dr should help me out?

[InfinitySeven]

I have quite severe anxiety. It's usually well controlled with medication. When my anxiety is bad, I cannot use the telephone. This is well-documented.

When my anxiety flared badly in October, the doctors asked me to make an appointment, but wouldn't give me one in any way other than on the phone. By the time I've got the confidence to use the phone, the appointments are gone. They have to be booked on the day.

I faxed today and asked for an appointment on Friday. Explained that it's the only day I have transport, that I've run out meds and really need them, and asked for a specific doctor who I can talk too despite my anxiety. They left me a voicemail confirming an appt for Friday.

Then they called again to say that they'd made a mistake and its a telephone appt with the wrong doctor, so I can't have anything prescribed. To get an appt on Friday, I have to call on Friday morning. I am "making life difficult" not being able to use a phone.

I submitted a repeat prescription form online to get my meds instead. They have declined it, I need to see the doctor first.

I can't get there on my own. I have to plan to have someone take me. I need my meds. I can't call.

Is it me?!

I've tried writing before but they ignore me.

If you have been on certain medication for awhile it should not be stopped suddenly. Did you know you needed follow up. Could you write and ask them to give you a few days supply week or so and book you an appointment in so you can continue the meds?

Do they do online booking yet?
As we do not know all the story I would not advocate complaining but writing to the practice manager asking for a way to resolve this maybe as I have outlined above.
Good luck

Do you have an advocacy service near you?

I think they should be making reasonable adjustments to deal with your condition and helping you make appointments in a way other than using the phone. It isn't like you are being awkward it's because you can't do it.

I would be putting it in writing to the practice manager if it were me.

They absolutely should be doing I think so too TheFairy.

another one here who could ring for you at 8am on Friday if you like. PM details if you wish. I think there are issues to be dealt with in the longer time to avoid this happening again but in the short term you clearly need your meds.

Not its not just you. I had been treated by an out of area mental health team during my pregnancy. However they had to transfer my care back to my local authority before DS was born for continuity of care.

It was ridiculous. The team I had been seeing were brilliant and understood my anxiety was focussed on health care professionals. Part of that is a fear of not being taken serious or HCP being dismissive of my anxieties. Its well documented on my notes and contact details that my anxiety of HCP is so severe that I have trouble speaking around them. To the point that I was having an ELCS as I found it so difficult to express my wishes. DH usually helps me out as I try and prepare before appointments. It not ideal, but we muddle through and I have made progress with the wonderful care and compassion of several midwives in recent months, but still struggle with HCPs I'm not familiar with.

So when the referral came through for the local Trust mental health team, they said they could 'only do an assessment over the telephone'. For someone who is 38 weeks pregnant and having extra support because she has trouble talking even face to face with HCPs... Not stressful at all.

DH went a bit batshit about how ridiculous it was when they refused to let him do it on my behalf. In the end they gave me a face to face appointment which was a complete waste of time as they clearly didn't really know how to deal with me anyway.

(I should also add I'd previously had trouble with a GP who apparently referred me to the same team, but didn't bother to tell me, so I'd had a lecture from another GP about not following it up. DH had to not only refute the fact that I'd received a referral but also point out the sheer stupidity of such a referral when I couldn't do much more than cry, nod and shake my head in her presence which is why I was there in first place. Hence in part why I had gone out of area to a Trust that had better peri-natal mental health support...)

I do not buy into the 'if we do it for you, we have to do it for everyone' thing, as this is a symptom of the illness you are trying to get help for. Its like saying to a housebound person we can't give you any care unless you walk a mile to the surgery. Its your medical condition, which is on your notes. If the people supposed to be helping you with the symptom of your anxiety don't understand the limitations it gives you, then not only is it poor care, it also damages the doctor/patient relationship and makes your anxiety worse. It doesn't really give you much confidence in them being able to give you the help and support you need, when they fail at the most basic hurdle.

OP you have my heart felt sympathies. I don't know what else to suggest but to get someone to call on your behalf. These people should be much more aware of the catch 22 situation and implications for people who are diagnosed with anxiety and accommodate your needs rather than treat you as if you are just being difficult.

Pm me if you want me to call them for you :)

Hi OP
When I was in a similar situation, my GP used to write a note at the end of each appointment, basically telling the reception staff to book my an early morning appointment with her on X day next month/two months hence etc. I'd hand it into the desk on the way out and they would book the appointment there and then. Could something like that help you?

I make nearly all of my appts online. You can book ahead whereas over the phone you have the ridiculous ring at 8am lottery.

They are discriminating against you if you have a disabling recognised anxiety about using the phone.

Tbh I think a lot of GP practices run very difficult appt systems restricting access to anyone who isnt available all day.